Improvement in ambulances



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. W. SUS. r

Ambulance.

Patented Aug. 18, 1863 MFETERS, FHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D. c.

'2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

A. W. SUS.

Ambulance.

No. 39,595, Patented Aug 1.8. 1863 fifnaw m. mar

NJETERS, PHDTO'U'IHDGRAPHEH. WASHINGTON. D. C.

eyes I I. The hooks may be formed upon the NITED rafts AUGUSTUS WILLIAM sUs, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN AMBULANCES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 39,595, dated august 18, 1863..

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, AUGUSTUS WILLIAM Siis, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ambulances ,and I do hereby declare the following to be a full and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved ambulance, a portion at the rear being broken away in an oblique plane to exhibit the interior construction. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of the same at w a, representing the parts in different positions on the respective sides. Figs. 3 and 4. are detached sectional views illustrating different modes of attaching the seats.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The subject of my said invention is an ambulance which may be adapted to carry double the 'number of badly-wounded patients in a reclining posture that can be carried by ambulances of equal size now in common use. This I accomplish by securing the seats with self-sustaining and movable detachable fastenings, so that they may be lowered to the fioor and leave room for a second pair of beds or stretchers above the first.

The invention further consists in an improved construction of hinged stretchers provided with hinged or folding head-boards and footboards and occupying little or no room while not in use; also, in provisions for carrying water, lint, bandages, instruments, knapsacks, and other baggage. V

In order that others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains may be enabled to fully understand and use the same, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

The frame A, springs B, cover 0, axles D, and wheels W may be of usual construction.

EE represent a pair of seats provided with hinged flaps F F, and secured in horizontal position against the sides of the ambulance by means of rigid knees G G, hooks H H, and

upper part of the knees, attached to the edges of the seats, and the eyes attached to the body of the ambulance, as shown in Fig. 3, or the eyes may be attached to the seats and the hooks to the body of the ambulance, as shown in Fig. 4.

J J represent springs of india-rubber by which the extended seats and flaps E F E I may be supported on the floor of the wagon, the said springs serving to reduce concussions. K K are a second pair of cots or stretchers. permanently hinged at h h to the sides of the ambulance, and adapted to be turned up out of the way, as shown on the left in Fig. 2, or lowered to a horizontal position. as shown on the right,in which position their free edges are supported by straps L L.

M M are folding headrests, and N N folding foot-rests, which may be closed compactly against or within the stretchers K K when the latter are folded up or made to project therefrom when they are lowered into position for use.

0 P Q represent ventilation-apertures in the front, back, and sides, any or all of which may be closed by slides R R to any desirable extent either by the patients themselves or by attendants.

S represents the step for ascending or descending at the rear of the conveyance.

T is a rack placed in front of the said step, beneath the floor, for the reception of knapsacks or other baggage.

U is a water-tank, constructed with a sloping bottom, inclining downward toward the faucet u, by which the water is drawn out.

V is a drawer, in which may be carried lint, bandages, instruments, or other articles.

The brake X is placed in convenient position for the right foot of the driver. In other respects it may be constructed and operated in any usual or suitable manner.

Operation For patients capable of riding in a sitting posture, the seats are placed in the position shown in Fig. 1, and at E in Fig. 2, and the stretchers turned up, as shown in Fig. 1, and at K in Fig. 2. When the ambulance is to be used for conveying patients in a reclining posture, the seatsE E are detached from the sides and placed upon the floor, and the stretchers K K lowered to horizontal positions, as shown at E K in Fig. 2. Four patients may thus be conveyed at full length, two above and two below, being double the number which can be accommodated in an ambulance ofcommon construction; or,by placing all the parts in the positions shown in Fig.

2, one half a load, of sitting patients may be carried on one side, and tWo recliningipatients on the other.

From the above description it will be apparent that the improved ambulance equals the old in carrying capacity for sitting patients and double the capacity for those in a reclining posture; also,'that the full load of reclining patients now carried by a common ambulance may be carried in addition to half a load of sitting patients. 7

Seats constructed and applied as above described are self-sustaining without any additional support in the place of feet, 850., the flap to the seat alone being used as an additional support, although not necessary toit. The seatso hooked in is easier in its motion than the old style of seat that is fastened into the floor of the ambulance, but it is still more easy when laid on the floor,'the jarrin-gorjerkin g motion of the ambulance being greatly less- -ened by the mobility of the'seat itself on the floor, and the wounded soldier stretched out on the seat is consequently much less affected 7 specified.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The movable seats E E, constructed and secured substantially as set forth.

2. The hinged cots or stretchers K K in the described combination with the movable seats E E.

3. The folding head and foot rests MN, applied to the hinged cots K K, substantially I as shown and described.

4. The described arrangement of the Watertank U and drawerV beneath the body A of the ambulance.

A. WM. SU S.

Witnesses:

OCTAVIUS KNIGHT, OHARLEs SMITH. 

